Researcher with Questions--please consider answering

Come see me in world and I'll tell you ...

The OP needs to research the researchers to understand people's caution: there have been some very poor attempts to gather information. I ended up calling some people at the BBC who were spamming in-world to get people with "amusing" stories to tell (translation: people who could be belittled on-screen), and talking to them on the phone made it quite clear that responding to them in mail or in-world would have been a big mistake.

A REALLY interesting sociology study would be how the perception of inclusion in "the news" or fact-finding exercises is a one-sided deal, and why polciy and media attitudes are now so strongly self-selected (that is: you have to be an idiot to agree to any questions)

anyway: here's what I feel like answering today

1. Where did you hear about Second Life, and why did you decide to join?

Probably the BBC coverage; can't really remember. Been looking at all this since... has to be the mid-90's. Always seemed to be a case of "too much too early".

2. Once you joined Second Life, what did you think of the platform? Did you find it difficult to figure out the workings of it (such as how to move, edit your avatar, and build)? Were you satisfied with the way the platform itself worked (in regards to crashing, lags, and the like).

"Satisfaction" isn't a question about the platform, it's a question about the person. I was almost immediately dissatisfied by the security and programming limits imposed by the monetary nature of a lot of the transactions - but then I am a Belbin Shaper - we are ALWAYS dissatisfied. It's what we do.

3. What was your first impression of Second Life as a social community?

The usual nerd environment, which means it has an emphasis on hidden knowledge and humiliation of the un-initiated, because that's how Nerds see the rest of humanity.

4. Did you find it simple or difficult to meet people?

Very easy. I just walk up, say "hey", and wait. Don't always find myself happy with the answer...

5. Were you interested in the social aspect of Second Life, or were you interested in the creative aspect of it--such as building, selling, and making movies? Or both? Neither?

I was interested in the sexual subculture expression aspect. I had a sneaking suspicion, given the industry histories of some of the Linden Lab players, that SL might be more than averagely tolerant of kinky behaviour: and I was right.

6. How long have you been in Second Life? Do you envision yourself staying for an extended period?

Since Autumn 06, and most likely, unless something better coems along, which probably won't be long.

7. Do you play any games that are considered mmorpgs? If so, how would you compare them to Second Life (although it is noted that Second Life is generally not considered a game, but instead, a platform)?

How the hell would I know...

Was shown SL by a friend. How they found it, I'm not sure. I was part of another online community for computer gaming (NWN) but it lost it's appeal and I was tired of the "combat" and "levleing" and simply wanted a social interaction platform. Found it ^.^



Impressive is the first impression. The default movements and menu workins were not hard for me to learn, but I felt this was due to the fact I've played all those online games for years and ahve gotten used to using multiple interfaces and figuring out the nauces. Plus I ~read~ all the documentation I could find ~first~ lol. And yes, when I joined the version was 1.3 or 1.4 and at that time, things went very smoothly. There were also less Residents overall, so the laod was less and the hardware.software was more able to accomidate. Scaling for the explosive growth has been the problem as of late.



Quite open and friendly. Many places are set up just to help new Residents. Examples: NCI, The Shelter, YadNi's Junkyard, Ivory Tower of Primitives.



Simple. But then I'm outgoing in any event.



Sorta both. Definately the social aspect. I love making friends and jsut doing whatever with them in SL. I do enjoy building and creating within my skills, but I don't ahve that skill for scripting and my artistic talent ends with smiley faces *snickers*. I do build and sell a bit, but mostly for fun. I want a Second Life, not a Second Job.



Comming up soon on my 2nd Rez Day. As I'm in-world nearly every day, I'd say I'm in for the long-haul. I'm definately hoping LL gears up the hardware and the physics engine to stay competative. They have the advantage of being first, but many are looking at the market now. If people start to leave for elsewhere, the enjoyment of SL will go with them.



As in my 1st answer, I am tired of "leveling". Mmorpg's get boring. Usually you hit a point fairly soon where the game doesn't offer a challenge, and I detest PVP as I see no point in it. I prefer the complete freedom and liquidness of SL. Constantly changing and evolving, we can influance our part fo the world and shape it into our imagination and allow us to see into the imagination of others, not jsut that of the game designers.


~Jessy

From my crazy ex-girlfriend.



I was pretty amazed really.

I didnt have any trouble moving around or anything. The basic controls were simple enough.

Second Life lagged a lot less back then really - unless you were making a Telehub run.



It was a lot smaller back then - You could sample different aspects of the community in a few hours. People seemed very fiendly. It did feel more like a community than it does now. I guess that impression is diluted by the larger number of users.



Was easy to meet people. You could literally go on a tour of all the over 5k traffic clubs in SL in a couple of hours. I dont know if people were friendlier or I just wanted to meet people more back then, really.



Social at first. I gained an interest for the rest later.



2 and 1/4 years. Ill stay until someone ruins it.



They are like MMORPGS in basic visuals and concepts of chat, etc only.

Otherwise they are apples and oarnges.

I had heard about it from a number of friends, and decided to join up and see what was occupying their time. Also, it was free (Hah! Sucker!)

This is not to answer all of your questions, but I'd like to state the three main reasons why I enjoy Second Life so much:

* Meeting people from around the planet, and from all walks of life.
* A place where I use my creativitly.
* A place where I use my imagination.

People who are only happy when they feel totally grounded may not gravitate to SL.

Avanti

1. Where did you hear about Second Life, and why did you decide to join?

A friend joined up. was having trouble figuring out how it all worked. Asked me to come along to see if I could help. I have a reputation for sortin things out. I stayed, not seen them since.

2. Once you joined Second Life, what did you think of the platform? Did you find it difficult to figure out the workings of it (such as how to move, edit your avatar, and build)? Were you satisfied with the way the platform itself worked (in regards to crashing, lags, and the like).

Not that difficult, like i say, i was brought here to figure it out. Within 1 day I was giving advice.

3. What was your first impression of Second Life as a social community?

Typical of any other large group of multinationals. A wide range of allsorts.

4. Did you find it simple or difficult to meet people?

Simple enough, I'm a friendly guy.

5. Were you interested in the social aspect of Second Life, or were you interested in the creative aspect of it--such as building, selling, and making movies? Or both? Neither?

Social mostly.

6. How long have you been in Second Life? Do you envision yourself staying for an extended period?

2 months. I have no idea when i'll be gone.

7. Do you play any games that are considered mmorpgs? If so, how would you compare them to Second Life (although it is noted that Second Life is generally not considered a game, but instead, a platform)?

No, first one of it's type.